Bournemouth vs Spurs: How to pick apart the Cherries

Bournemouth vs Spurs in the Premier League requires several tactical necessities to take on Eddie Howe’s side.

After travelling to Anderlecht, next up we face an equalling difficult assignment with a trip to the Vitality Stadium for Bournemouth vs Spurs.

The Cherries are struggling just above the drop zone, but have been difficult to beat at home. Only Aston Villa on opening day have left with all three points, highlighting just what a pesky team they can be.

So, what can we expect and what should we be on the lookout for in Bournemouth vs Spurs this time?

Where Bournemouth concede

The Cherries try to play an up-tempo game, shifting the ball from back to front very quickly. This can be done through running with it, passing or creating a turnover. They try to get men forward and this can see them caught in transition with players up the pitch. This allows them to be counter attacked on effectively by the opposition. Jamie Vardy’s run and being fouled in the area for a penalty in Leicester City’s 1-1 draw at the Vitality Stadium was a good example of how they can be caught out.

The second area of weakness is to teams that can run players in–behind off the ageing Sylvain Distin. Bournemouth have size and strength, but not pace in the centre back positions with Steve Cook partnering the 37-year old Frenchman.

Like many sides, when out of possession, Bournemouth will try and push their centre backs up the field when they have pressure on the ball. When they don’t, the centre backs will try to drop off. The problem for the Cherries has been the speed with which the opposition can get at them in transition has often beaten their centre backs ability, and speed, to retreat. This has allowed opposing teams to get in-behind.

Manchester City’s 5-1 victory in the Premier League last weekend was a perfect example. Here, without any pressure on Wilfried Bony in possession, the centre backs are caught high and Sylvain Distin is no match for the pace of Raheem Sterling.

Bony picks out Sterling’s run in-behind Distin.

The ex-Liverpool man led the Bournemouth back line a merry dance all game. Man City continually looked for his runs in-behind the centre back pairing with balls played early for him to jet on to beyond Distin and Cook.

Raheem Sterling passes received, Man City 5-1 Bournemouth.

Sterling’s second goal of the game was a perfect example, shown by the yellow line above. Kevin De Bruyne got the ball in transition and Bournemouth were caught with men forward. With no pressure on him or the ball, Distin and Cook were slow to drop and the Belgian fed Sterling’s run in-behind.

The Tottenham tactics for Bournemouth vs Spurs should look to see us look to get runners beyond their centre backs. Erik Lamela has been making a few of these runs recently, which was key to his goal-scoring spree. Clinton N’Jie is also this type of player if he is introduced or moved up top ahead of Harry Kane again.

Profiting from errors

Bournemouth have been squandering points by conceding from errors. The Cherries have conceded four goals in the Premier League from making mistakes at the back, only West Ham with five have let in more from their own miscues.

Keeper miscues have been a continuing theme. Adam Federici palming the ball down off Pablo Zabaleta’s cross, right at the feet of Wilfried Bony, saw the Cherries two down inside 11 minutes at the Etihad.

We should be looking to force and capitalise off any errors in the game on Sunday. Cheap goals, such as the one given to Ighalo, have knocked the wind out of Bournemouth’s sails at key points in games this season.

Whereas Wilson had pace, Murray is much better at latching on to crosses either through the air or over the ground. Bournemouth are trying to set him up in this way by getting crosses in to him to take advantage of his knack of getting on to the end of balls with either his head or an outstretched leg.

His first Premier League start for his new side against Watford saw him a constant target from balls supplied from the Bournemouth right. He drifted free and glided a header in to the Watford net to put the Cherries ahead. He also had other several good chances created for him from this side.

Glenn Murray passes received, Bournemouth 1-1 Watford.

Last weekend at the Etihad and Bournemouth again looked to get him on the end of a ball in to or across the box as they went after the City right this time.

Bournemouth crosses vs Man City.

Murray has a habit of being able to get on to the end of balls put in to the penalty area. Its something he made a living off at Crystal Palace, when healthy. He’ll be a threat to get on the end of balls supplied by Matt Ritchie, Simon Francis and Charlie Daniels.

The Tottenham tactics for Bournemouth vs Spurs should look at pressing high out on the flanks to push their wide players and full backs towards their own goal.

Bournemouth vs Spurs outlook

Bournemouth have been a tough team to play at home. In their four matches at the Vitality Stadium in the Premier League this season, they have allowed just 9 shots on target. Keep in mind that they have only faced Aston Villa, Sunderland, Watford and Leicester City though. The Foxes are the only team amongst those that like to play on the front foot and be aggressive, but surprisingly they only recorded 2 efforts on target, one of which was Vardy’s penalty.

This will be a tough game, but if we look to get runners in-behind Sylvain Distin then we will take all three points on offer from this one.

Bournemouth vs Spurs prediction: Bournemouth 0-1 Spurs.

Bournemouth vs Spurs betting

There are a few bets that have caught the eye this weekend: Spurs to win 13/10 with BetVictor. HT/FT: Draw/Tottenham at 5/1 with 888sport. Dele Alli booking at 2/1 with BetVictor. COYS!

Need to get moving as others picking up points with Leicester and Spammers continuing to do well. Going to be tough on a small, tight ground with vocal home support. Need to get a handle on the game early to keep the crowd out of it.